WorldSkills UK is pleased to announce our first ever Higher Education partner with the University Vocational Awards Council (UVAC). For nearly a decade, this collaboration has driven forward our shared ambition to raise the standards of technical, professional education, and world-class skills delivery across the UK.
Ben Blackledge, Chief Executive, WorldSkills UK said “Collaborating with Higher Education Institutions is a vital part of our work in embedding world-class training programmes across the UK. We are delighted that through our partnership with UVAC more young people and educators in higher education will benefit from our programmes. Through UVAC’s attendance at WorldSkills Lyon 2024 we look forward to sharing our unique access to international best practice and global standards of excellence in technical education and apprenticeships with UVAC’s members, helping them to meet regional and national skill needs.”
Dr Mandy Crawford-Lee, Chief Executive, UVAC said “UVAC is happy to finally, and formally, consolidate its work with WorldSkills UK as an official partner working in higher education after many years of working in our mutual spheres of influence to break down barriers to opportunity for young people and adults who have ambition in their early careers to progress in and through work.
WorldSkills UK and UVAC have a shared ambition to promote higher technical, professional education and skills delivery and the development of high-quality provision, delivered by highly effective and innovative teachers and tutors. This has included maintaining a shared and ambitious approach to raising standards in technical education. Rejecting the idea of apprenticeships and vocational education as solely for others’ children or for lower-level jobs, we have advocated for programmes that help individuals from diverse and under-served backgrounds secure high-productivity craft, technical, and professional job roles essential to the economy.”
As we move forward, WorldSkills UK and UVAC will remain committed to raising the standards of technical, professional, and world-class skills education. Through initiatives such as the National Skills Competition Programme, the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Heroes Awards, and the Skills Competitor Support Fund, our partnership aims to extend our reach to more diverse communities across the UK, support educators, and ensure that the UK remains at the forefront of skills development.
